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her as she rose to her knees and scanned the room, every muscle tensed. A ribbon of light trickled through the outer door, left slightly ajar, casting shadows that disoriented her.
    Where was he? Concentrating on the dark corners of the room, she stared and squinted until her eyes ached. He was here. She was sure she caught the whiff of the musky cologne he always wore. God, she hated that smell. She had to get out of here. Where was he?
    There! On the other side of the bed. So close!
    Cara scrambled to her feet, landing on the narrow strip of carpet between the bed and the wall. Shoving herself backward, she slammed into the wall behind her. There was nowhere to go. The dark figure, sitting statue-like six feet from her, would easily catch her if she tried to run for the door. Her gaze fastened on the shadow across from her, waiting for the slightest movement. Her heart beat out of control and her breathing came hard and raspy, the only sound in the room.
    A spark of anger ignited within her. What was he waiting for? He always wanted the same thing, and he wanted her to be as terrified as possible. Well, she wasn’t going to give him that. She wasn’t going to be afraid of him any longer.
    Slowly, carefully, never taking her eyes from the silent figure, she felt along the floor with her foot. Finally, her toe struck something. Not too heavy—square—flat. A book. The Bible that had been on the nightstand? She must have knocked it off in her panic. It wasn’t much of a weapon, but it would have to do. Her foot slowly drew the book closer to her body.
    She’d use the wall as leverage, duck, and grab the book, then roll across the bed and catch him off…
    “Are you finished yet?” he asked.
    David? No… it was Joe. Not David.
    Cara’s breathing came out in a rush as she stared at the figure. Then she swore softly, relief turning her insides to a quivering mass. She needed to sit. He was on the bed, and even though it wasn’t David, she couldn’t make herself sit there. Instead, she slid down the wall to the floor. Her hands shook uncontrollably as she raised them to cradle her head. Damn it! She hadn’t wanted him to see her like this. She couldn’t afford to show weakness.
    “Are you all right? I have to say, I’ve never had a woman try to get away from me quite so enthusiastically. Were you going to crack my skull with that Bible?”
    He hadn’t moved from his spot on the bed. The amusement in his tone set her nerves on edge.
    “You startled me. That’s all.” She couldn’t still the shaking in her voice.
    “You said his name… your ex-husband. David, right?”
    Cara’s gaze flew to his face. Was it true? Had she spoken his name in her terror? She had to keep herself under control. Joe was watching her, even though the room was partially shadowed.
    “You thought I was him, didn’t you? Why does he frighten you so much?”
    “He doesn’t. I was just caught off guard waking up in a strange place.” She sounded defensive, even to herself.
    “Okay. If that’s the story you want to stick with…” He shrugged as though it made no difference one way or the other.
    “What are you doing in here anyway?”
    “It’s the only bed. I came to see if you’d mind sharing.”
    “You can have it. I’ll take the sofa.”
    Joe stood, stepped around the bed, and held out a hand to help her up. She hesitated a moment, then stretched out her hand and allowed him to pull her to her feet. Closer to him now, the hard glint in his eyes and the stubborn set of his jaw were visible. When she tried to pull away, he held on to her hand.
    “No, you won’t. The bed is big enough for both of us and much more comfortable than the couch. I know. I tried it.”
    “Don’t worry about me.” Cara tried to squeeze by him. “I’ll be fine.”
    “I know, because you’ll be right here on the bed.”
    “You’re crazy if you think I’m going to sleep with you.”
    “We’re not going to argue about this.” Without